Walking and Your Health

Walking is the simplest, lowest-cost way to be active. Studies have shown walking as little as 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can improve overall health and prevent diseases. To show how easy (and fun) it is to fit half an hour of walking in daily, Walk San Francisco, each April Walk San Francisco a citywide encouragement event promoting just 15 minutes of walking of the commute to and from work on Walk to Work Day.

The benefits of walking are even greater for children, who can develop lifelong healthy habits, and increase their academic performance by walking to and/or from school. To learn more about the resources Walk SF provides to families walk to/from school, visit Safe Routes to School.

Physical and Mental Benefits of Regular Walking

Improving mood and concentration

Increasing endorphins that improve mental and physical health

Lowering blood pressure

Lowering cholesterol

Strengthening cardiovascular system

Balancing insulin production

Increasing bone density

Promoting weight loss or weight maintenance

Increasing flexibility

Strengthening nervous system and reflexes

Increasing production of growth hormones that counteract the effects of aging